‘Dancing With the Stars’ Names Its Season 23 Winner

With three professional athletes as last contestants standing, last night's (November 22) Dancing With The Stars'Season 23 finale was a particularly competitive one. But it was the youngest among the hopefuls who ultimately won the prize, and walked away with the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy.

At just 16-years-old, Laurie Hernandez officially became the show's youngest winner, beating out the likes of race car driver James Hinchcliffe, who's 29, and retired NFL player Calvin Johnson Jr., who's 31. And the win caps off a particularly successful year for Hernandez, who won a gold medal and silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Hernandez seemed shocked to have won, though she was consistently at the top of the pack. She earned the highest marks across four of the competition's first five weeks and many times thereafter. She also tied Season 21 winner Bindi Irwin's record for most perfect scores in a season with eight.

"I just want to thank everyone for their support, riding along this crazy roller-coaster of my life," she said. "My goal is just to inspire others as I go on with my journey and thanks for being there for me."

Think Laurie deserved the title, or should it have been one of her fellow competitors? Share your thoughts on the final verdict in the comments.